Capsized! (2011)
Bob and the Tobias brothers return with their ninth Circus Devils record, and the sixth Pollard-associated LP released in 2011. Capsized! is a nautically-themed record that dials back some of the nightmarish aspects that characterized the previous record, Mother Skinny. Although the monstrous vibe has been down-shifted, there is still an unsettling, dark nature to Capsized!. After all, it is a Circus Devils album. There was no discussion amongst the band members regarding a theme going into the project. However, something about the instrumental pieces the Tobias brothers created and sent over to Bob inspired him to go in that direction. According to Todd Tobias, “Bob had not announced a theme or concept at the time I was recording for Capsized!, so I assume the finished music we sent him prompted the development of his seafaring theme – in particular the music that became the opening instrumental titled ‘To England The Tigers.’ If this is wrong, and Bob had the theme worked out beforehand, then it was a surprising case of creative synchronicity. The story is nautical gothic, detailing the troubled journey of a ship’s crew by way of expressionistic vignettes.” The release info for the album further explains the album’s thematic qualities:
This is an upper-tier Circus Devils album. One of my primary issues with Circus Devils records is that they tend to really drop off on the second half. Capsized! does not suffer from such a fate, as songs like “The Matter of Being Good” and Gable’s Ear Wax” really bolster side 2. There is also some stylistic diversity here that prevents the record from being being bogged down and becoming a bit too same-sounding like some Circus Devils albums are prone to do. All in all, another strong addition to the immense Pollard discography.Circus Devils hits the high seas with Capsized! (The exclamation point is part of the title). Once again the Ohio trio featuring Robert Pollard defies and transcends musical genres with a strangely coherent blend of soft rock, aggressive stompers, creepy soundscapes and a radio-friendly pop single (“Cyclopean Runways”). Capsized! Is cinema for the ears, taking the listener on a dark adventure with strange cargo, sirens, shipboard ghosts and bad soup.
1. To England the Tigers – Dramatic, atmospheric instrumental to set the stage for the album. A brief injection of some staticky “monsters giving birth” to break up the straightforward arrangement. (4)
2. Capsized! – The return of the frightening jack-in-the-box on the title track. Todd utilizes an actual jack-in-the-box to conjure that creepy vibe and alert you that this will not be a smooth voyage. “When you’ve nothing left but to drown.” (8)
3. Cyclopean Runways – In several of the solo Pollard write-ups, I’ve commented how it sounds like Todd and Bob snuck a Circus Devils track or two onto one of those albums. Here, they reverse course and include a very hook-laden, no-nonsense, solo-Pollard-sounding gem on a Circus Devils LP. This is a top-tier Bob pop nugget. “Our sanguine argosy is full speed ahead.” (10)
4. Legendary Breakfast Code – Another surprise as the band mines that soft rock, or more appropriately for a nautically-theme album, yacht rock inspiration on this tale of home sickness. Sounds like the food on this ship is not particularly appetizing. “It’s such a coffin sailboat.” (8)
5. Nully Scully – We head below deck where things get a little more gnarly. Tim Tobias wrote the music for this one and lends some of his grimy guitar work to add to the vibe. “Skids of wreckage are leaving.” (5)
6. Aerial Poop Show – Quite a visual courtesy of this song title. Pretty much an instrumental track other than the injection of a trio of “Do it!’s” in the beginning and a “Hold your breath” about halfway through. I can’t imagine this is the type of Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia Bob had in mind back in 1989. (4)
7. Hangerman Suits – A restrained moody stomper of a track with Tim Tobias laying down a menacing riff. Todd sprinkles in his own version of The Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” synth effect. “A test is all you need.” (7)
8. Leave the Knife Curtis – Things are getting ominous out on the sea. Bob assumes the role of negotiator as he pleads with Curtis to leave the knife. Another fantastic, threatening guitar riff from Tim Tobias. These are the types of songs where Circus Devils really excel. “We were under Cromwell's capricious artificial exterior status.” (9)
9. Vampire Playing a Red Piano – Spoken word Bob and a haunting piano from Todd combine to create the perfect cinematic track that sounds like it was taken from some old vampire film. Fantastic mood/scene setter. “Those boxes over there on the floor contain paralyzing secrets.” (6.5)
10. Double Vission – Tim Tobias’ second contribution to the LP is a crude, buzzing guitar track which starts out fairly straightforward. In one of the more interesting bridges of the Pollard catalog, we get to hear one of the sailors vomit over and over. Make sure you are not, or have not just finished, eating when you play this track. “I couldn’t take it, now I’m gagging in the soup.” (3.5)
11. What Wallace? – Those staticky “monsters giving birth” sounds that appeared for 8 seconds on the opening track get stretched out to a minute and a half on this bizarre instrumental piece. (1)
12. Plate of Scales – Back to the soft rock/70s AM gold sound that appeared on “Legendary Breakfast Code.” Lyrics once again turn to the concept of throwing up, this time exacerbated by feelings of claustrophobia. Some neat double-tracked Bob vocals cooked up by Todd. “Was that a pistol or a missile? Or an inadvertent whistle?” (7)
13. Siren – Starts out as a tender acoustic ballad with Bob giving a very heartfelt vocal performance. Once the synth starts to bubble in the background this song picks up steam before exploding into a bombastic track for a few seconds until the strange Tim Tobias-sung sea shanty breaks out during the outro. All of this is accomplished in 1:23. “Your feet are on fire and you run like hell.” (6.5)
14. Henry Loop – Slow, plodding repetitive track with super simple riffs. Henry Loop is the ship’s ghost and he apparently wants his eyes back. “After the swill, you’ll know the drill.” (2)
15. Stiffs on Parade – We get another ghost sighting on this sparse, atmospheric track. This time it’s the ghost of Nicky Highpockets of Sgt. Disco fame. “Shit birds in the midst, aiming for the eye socket.” (6)
16. The Matter of Being Good – The sleeper track of the album is buried deep on side 2. Starts out as an unassuming acoustic track before suddenly morphing into another gritty Circus Devils stomper. Bob provides some excellent melodies. This track manages to blend Circus Devils spirit with some classic Pollard hooks. “Keep your face straight, it's never too late. Keep your neck tied, not like you haven't tried.” (8.5)
17. Gable’s Ear Wax – Another strong vocal melody from Bob that sounds like it was lifted from classic-era GBV, while the music is undeniably psych-prog Circus Devils. The second straight example of the harmonious marriage of Pollard hooks and Circus Devils fuckery. “You’re burning a candle at both ends. You’re watching my teeth flash light.” (8)
18. End of the Swell – After a rough voyage, it appears the crew has made it out to brighter skies and calmer seas. This is a really nice sub-minute Pollard melody snippet. This album is just full of surprises. “And the world goes sailing on ant the end of the swell.” (7)
19. Safe on a Vegetable – Back to the soft rock zone on this pleasant and appropriate instrumental closer. It leaves little doubt that the crew has survived the haunting voyage and has returned safely to land (and decent food). (5.5)